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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Alyssa Barbieri

Everything to know heading into Bears’ Week 9 game vs. Dolphins

The Chicago Bears (3-5) will battle the Miami Dolphins (5-3) on Sunday, where Chicago is looking to get back in the win column after a rough Week 8 loss.

The Bears are coming off a 49-29 loss to the Dallas Cowboys (6-2), where the defense struggled but the offense thrived. With Roquan Smith being traded to Baltimore, things won’t be easier on this Chicago defense. Meanwhile, the Bears are finally starting to roll on offense, where quarterback Justin Fields has been instrumental in their success over the last couple of weeks.

Buy Bears Tickets

Here’s a rundown of what we know heading into Sunday’s game against the Dolphins:

How to watch

Game information:

Who: Chicago Bears (3-5) vs. Miami Dolphins (5-3)

When: Sunday, Nov. 6, 12 p.m. CT

Where: Soldier Field – Chicago, IL

Streaming:

In-market live stream: fuboTV (try it for free).

Broadcast:

TV: CBS

Radio: WBBM 780 (Chicago)

Betting odds

The Bears are considered 4-point home underdogs against the Dolphins, according to Tipico Sportsbook. The over/under is 46.

Game-day roster

Here’s a look at the Bears’ game-day roster:

Game picks

  • Alyssa Barbieri: 35-27 Dolphins
  • Brendan Sugrue: 33-24 Dolphins
  • Ryan Fedrau: 33-27 Dolphins
  • Nate Atkins: 23-21 Dolphins
  • Jarrett Bailey: 30-26 Bears

Read our full analysis

Bold predictions

AP Photo/Stephen Brashear
  1. Justin Fields has 300 total yards
  2. Chase Claypool catches a red zone touchdown
  3. Riley Reiff continues starting over Larry Borom
  4. Jack Sanborn has double-digit tackles
  5. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle combine for under 175 yards receiving

Read our full analysis

Behind Enemy Lines

We spoke Mike Masala from Dolphins Wire to go deep into Sunday’s matchup to get to know the competition a little better.

  • Thoughts on Tua Tagovailoa’s improvement?
  • How have the Dolphins fared against mobile QBs this season?
  • Is there any hope of containing Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle?
  • What will Bradley Chubb bring to Miami’s pass rush?
  • Who wins?

Read our full analysis

Last meeting: 31-28 OT Dolphins (Oct. 14, 2018

Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

Team rankings

Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
CHI MIA
Points per game 19.4 (23rd) 22.3 (16th)
Points allowed per game 22.6 (19th) 24 (22nd)
Turnover differential +1 (T-13th) -3 (T-23rd)
Passing yards per game 126.9 (32nd) 292.5 (3rd)
Rushing yards per game 188.4 (1st) 88.1 (28th)
Passing yards allowed per game 188 (5th) 262.1 (26th)
Rushing yards allowed per game 156 (31st) 100.6 (6th)
Sacks allowed 31 (32nd) 17 (T-12th)
Sacks against 13 (28th) 15 (T-21st)

via Team Rankings

Dolphins players to watch

AP Photo/Marta Lavandier
  • QB Tua Tagovailoa
  • RB Raheem Mostert
  • WRs Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle
  • EDGE Bradley Chubb
  • S Jevon Holland

Read our analysis

Injuries to know

Bears: OL Ja’Tyre Carter (questionable, illness)

Dolphins: WR River Cracraft (out, illness); OT Austin Jackson (doubtful, ankle/calf); OT Terron Armstead (questionable, toe/Achilles); TE Tanner Conner (questionable, knee); CB Eric Rowe (questionable, hip); OLB Jaelan Phillips (questionable, quad)

Storyline to watch: How many snaps will Chase Claypool play?

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Eberflus said the Bears’ new wide receiver would play between 10-35 snaps. That’s a pretty wide range, considering the Bears offense averages 60 plays per game. Since 2020, Claypool played 63% of offensive snaps, growing to 86% this year before getting traded. 

Given that it’s the season’s mid-point, the Bears will hopefully get Claypool on the field for 50+ snaps per game sooner than later. 

The addition of Claypool’s 32 receptions for 311 yards and one touchdown would make him the Bears’ leader in receptions, second-leading receiver in yards, and tied for second-most touchdowns. Nate Atkins

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